Thomas Yeh
Username
Thomas Yeh
Proposer First Name
Thomas
Proposer Email
thomas.yeh@nyserda.ny.gov
Proposer Last Name
Yeh
Proposer Phone
(585) 317-0266
Proposer Job Title
Technical Advisor
Proposer Additional Info
Thomas Yeh is a recognized expert in energy management, building systems, and utility incentive programs, who is currently serving as the technical advisor and consultant to NYSERDA's Real-time Energy Management Program. In addition to his experience overseeing utility programs in several jurisdictions. Thomas's career also includes leading the development and pioneering in data analytics, wireless lighting control, embedded gateway design, networking IoT devices, and data center energy efficiency. With 20 US and international patents under his name, he also has several certifications from the Association of Energy Engineers (including CEM, CMVP, CBCP, and CDSM) and accreditation from the International Geothermal Heat Pump Association. Thomas graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree in Electrical Engineering and a master's degree in Computer Science. Also, among his most enjoyable undertakings, he served for two academic years as a visiting professor, where he taught courses for 1-year through graduate students.
Proposed Session Description
The imperative for commercial office buildings to extend energy management into leased spaces and engage tenants is undeniable to reduce the building's carbon footprint dramatically. However, the question is not why managing tenant energy use is necessary but how to do it sustainably. NYSERDA has designed an incentive program to motivate real estate owners to pursue novel strategies to engage tenants in data-driven energy management. New York's building owners are supported to bridge the gap in leveraging energy analytics with the expertise that delivers dramatic energy transformation. Incentived measures includes ones that enhances a building's environmental health while supporting the wellness of occupants.
Why is this session important?
This session addresses energy management in tenant spaces. For large commercial buildings, just about all significant refits or upgrades to improve energy performance will affect tenants. A cursory survey revealed that tenants are directly responsible for most of their building's energy-consuming behavior. It is not uncommon that tenant spaces control greater than 60% of consumption decisions after building owners have worked on base building efficiencies upgrades. Property owners and managers are also worried about disruptions to tenants if they unilaterally make upgrades. In addition, their efforts to pass on costs/penalties to meet carbon intensity regulations (such as New York City's local law 97) would further intensify an already adversarial negotiation during lease renewals. NYSERDA's program promotes a collaborative relationship between owners and tenants. The program offers building owners and operators financial support to adopt advanced energy data and analytics systems and engage with consultants to devise a tenant engagement plan.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
Typical incentive programs targeted at tall buildings engage class-A properties. However, one critical element of RTEM + Tenants program is supporting class B and C properties in disadvantaged neighborhoods. These properties are underserved and tenants in these buildings are very often overlooked in engaging in energy conservation activities.
Learning Objectives
Quantify the scope of a commercial building's energy consumption controlled by leased spaces occupied by tenants.
Identify typical and common energy consumption systems controlled by tenants in commercial office buildings.
Describe the critical role of data, including time-interval energy consumption, breakdown by major end-uses, ventilation rate for wellness, and occupancy level. of leased spaces.
Identify current best practices in engaging tenants in energy management initiatives.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Additional Comments
NYSERDA delivered a similar presentation sponsored by Building Energy Exchange in combination with the ASHRAE NYC Chapter. However, the proposed presentation will include new data and material never presented in other venues.
NYC 2022 Areas of Focus
Session Format
Debate between opposing viewpoints
Strongest Content Connection - NYC 2022
Comments about your speaker roster
Thomas Yeh has delivered well-received presentations at ASHRAE, AEE, and CxEnergy conferences.
Reviewer 1
Boren, Michaela
Reviewer 2
Donnelly, Danielle
Proposal #
105
Committee Decision
Being Considered